Known as albumen, egg white is the clear part of the egg's inside that surrounds and protects the egg yolk. Rich in minerals, proteins and vitamins and easily digestible, an egg white contains virtually no calories, fat or cholesterol. This makes egg white meals an attractive alternative if you are trying to follow a heart-healthy diet or manage your weight.
Calories
The egg yolk contains about 80 percent of an egg's calories. Once the yolk is removed, an egg white has very few calories. The egg white from a medium egg that weighs approximately 33g contains just 17 calories. Only one of these calories comes from fat.
Fat
The yolk contains almost 100 percent of an egg's fat. The egg white, therefore, contains very little. In fact, just .06g of fat are in an egg white, which accounts for 0 percent of your recommended daily intake.
Cholesterol
While whole eggs are cholesterol rich, egg whites have almost no cholesterol, making them an attractive alternative if you are looking to minimize your cholesterol intake. According to AskDrSears.com, insights into the relationship between heart disease and cholesterol show that people with a normal cholesterol metabolism mainly need to avoid foods high in saturated and hydrogenated fats to minimize their risk for heart disease. A whole egg contains just 2g of saturated fat, which means it is not a concern where cholesterol is concerned.
Vitamins and Minerals
Egg whites are rich in selenium, as well as vitamins D, B-6 and B-12. Egg whites also contain minerals such as zinc, iron, copper, phosphorus, calcium and potassium, which aid in teeth, bone and nail development.
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